Semaglutide Tablet (Rybelsus®)

What is this medication for?

Rybelsus® is used in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. Rybelsus® reduces food cravings and increases the insulin produced during meals.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• This medication should be taken 30 minutes before food, beverages or other medications.
• Swallow whole with a sip of water (up to 120mL of water).
   

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember if it is not close to the next dose. Otherwise, you should skip the dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses together to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• Have Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
• On certain diabetes medication such as insulin or sulfonylurea (e.g. glipizide, gliclazide, tolbutamide etc)
• Have thyroid cancer or any family history of thyroid cancer
• Have history of inflammation to your pancreas
• Have diabetes-related eye disease
• Have stomach or bowel problems
• You are scheduled for a surgery or any procedure that involves the use of anaesthesia
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

• Nausea, Vomiting, Stomach discomfort
  • Take small but frequent meals and avoid fatty or spicy food
• Diarrhea
  • Keep yourself hydrated
• Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
  • Monitor symptoms  of low blood sugar such as:
    • Weakness
    • Dizziness
    • Hunger
    • Sweating
    • Trembling
    • Blurred vision
    • Walking unsteadily
    • Fast heartbeat
  • If you experience any of these low blood sugar symptoms, do the following immediately:
    • Step 1: Check your blood sugar level with a home blood sugar meter (glucometer) if available. If your blood sugar level is less than 4 mmol/L, take 15 grams of fast-acting sugar. Examples of 15 grams of fast-acting sugar include:
      • 3 glucose tablets or
      • Half a glass of fruit juice (200ml) or
      • Half a can of soft drink or sweetened drink (175ml) or
      • 1 can of less sugar soft drink (330ml) or
      • 3 teaspoons of sugar, honey or syrup
    • Step 2: Monitor yourself for 15 minutes. If you have a glucometer (home blood sugar meter), check your blood sugar level again after 15 minutes.
    • Step 3: If your blood sugar level is still less than 4 mmol/L or you still have symptoms of low blood sugar, you should take another 15 grams of fast-acting sugar as per Step 1. If your symptoms do not go away, see a doctor or go to the hospital immediately.
    • Step 4: Take your meal or snack if your blood sugar level is 4 mmol/L and above after consuming the fast-acting sugar earlier on.
       

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

You can also find out about drug allergies by watching these videos:

For videos in 中文, Melayu and தமிழ், click here

Very rarely, Rybelsus® may cause inflammation of the pancreas or gallbladder. Symptoms may include:

• Severe pain in the stomach, abdomen or back area
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever
• Yellowing of skin or eyes, fever
• Clay-coloured stools

Very rarely, Rybelsus® may worsen a diabetes-related eye condition (diabetic retinopathy), especially if there is a large and fast improvement in blood sugar. This may cause changes in your eyesight.

Very rarely, Rybelsus® may cause sudden worsening of kidney function (acute kidney injury), especially if you have severe dehydration resulting from the gastrointestinal side effects such as vomiting or diarrhea.

There are rare reports of thyroid cancer in animal studies.  Your doctor will usually screen for any history or family history of thyroid cancer before starting on this medication. Symptoms of thyroid cancer can include unusual lumps or swelling in the neck, hoarseness of the voice or difficulty in swallowing.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid fried, greasy, or sweet foods when taking Rybelsus® to prevent stomach upset.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.